THE OPENING YEAR 



to cover it with a film of damp silver sand, as this shows 

 up coloured seeds even if very small, and acts as a safe- 

 guard against thick sowing; moreover, it prevents the 

 seed being sown unevenly. It is not necessary to cover 

 the seed, either with sand or soil, but a few flakes of 

 clean, fresh, damp moss may be laid over it, provided 

 the raiser can trust himself to recollect the necessity for 

 removing them as soon as the young shoots begin to 

 appear. A square of glass shaded with brown paper 

 (which may give place to a piece of white paper when 

 germination has taken place) should be placed over the 

 receptacle. 



Care of Seedlings. — Tiny seedlings of choice plants 

 require constant attention, but they are no more likely 

 to die than young Cab- 

 bages if the grower will 

 only learn correct water- ' 

 ing and ventilation. He 

 must see that the soil 

 does not get quite dry, 

 and remain so for several 

 hours; on the other hand, 

 he must not flood the 

 plants with water at re- 

 gular intervals. Water- 

 ing will not be wanted 

 more than once a day in 

 winter, if that, and it is 

 very little trouble to lower 

 the seed pan into a vessel 

 of lukewarm water, and hold it there, immersed to the 

 level of the seedlings within, until the water has per- 

 colated through and moistened the surface. When the 

 pot is withdrawn it should be held over the tub until the 

 23 



Jan. 

 1-15 



Fig. 



2.— Watering Seedlings by 

 Immersion. 



a. Pan containing seedlings held down 

 in a pail of water, b. 



